Are you making a trip to Washington soon? Or, are you a Washington resident, looking for something different to do?
When most people think of Washington, they think of the big cities like Seattle and Spokane. But, there are other cities that are well worth a visit. One of these is Bellingham.
Situated about a couple hours north of Seattle, Bellingham is a great place for a weekend getaway or even a full vacation. There is plenty to do, see, and experience in this quaint town.
Read on to learn about some fun things to do in Bellingham.
Explore Nature
Washington is a nature lover’s dream and after visiting Bellingham, you’ll definitely understand why. Some natural sites worth checking out include:
Chuckanut Mountains
If you’re looking for easy-to-access trailheads and beautiful sunsets, the Chuckanut Mountains are the place to go. Year-round, you will find miles and miles of biking and hiking trails.
Plus, most people head to Galbraith or Mount Baker for their hiking and biking. The Chuckanut Mountains offer a less-crowded, but just as beautiful option.
Boulevard Park
Boulevard Park is the perfect place to go if you’re looking to toss the frisbee, play with your dog, have a picnic, or just relax. It’s also close to Taylor Dock, another great place to catch the sunset.
Lake Padden
A little south of Bellingham, you will find Lake Padden. Lake Padden is a place where you can easily pass the entire day without even realizing it. Find a barbecue pit to post up at, and then spend the day swimming, fishing, boating, playing basketball, or golfing.
Bellingham Railway Museum
If you have kids, the Bellingham Railway Museum is a great place to take them.
Here, you and your kids can enjoy several exhibitions of model trains. You can push a button to watch the trains travel through mountains, forests, and more. Other exciting exhibits include communication devices, railway lanterns, and artifacts.
Lairmont Manor
If you’re in Bellingham to host an event, Lairmont Manor is the place to do it. This Italian Rennaissance-style mansion is over 100 years old and was commissioned by the founder of the city.
Throughout its history, the 25-room mansion has hosted parties, political events, auctions, weddings, and more. And, even if you aren’t looking to host an event, peaking inside the mansion is definitely worth it.
Breweries, Bakeries, and Bookstores
Bellingham is pretty much a beer lover’s dream.
In fact, Bellingham has more breweries per capita than both Seattle and Portland. Picking the best brewery would be a hard task, but some of the top ones include the Stones Throw Brew Co., Wander Brewing, North Fork Brewery, Chuckanut Brewery, and Boundary Bay Brewery.
If breweries aren’t really your thing, there are some great places here to satiate your sweet tooth.
You can check out Avenue Bread, which has three locations, each with their own unique flair. Or, you can head to Mallard Ice Cream, where you can find all sorts of interesting ice cream flavors, like avocado, cardamom, and basil.
After you’ve had your fill of beer and sweets, be sure to save some time for Village Haven books. This three-story, dog-friendly bookstore is a great place find unique finds or just relax.
Are You Ready for All These Fun Things to Do in Bellingham?
As you can see, there’s enough to do in Bellingham to make it one of your regular vacation destinations.
Or, if you’re a local, hopefully, you’ve found some new places to check out on the weekend.
If you’re looking for more fun things to do in Bellingham, check out this blog post for some ideas!
